***urges citizens to enrol in free “Bello Healthcare Plus”
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
KOGI State Government has taken delivery of 21 additional Basic Life-Support Ambulances procured to enhance Primary Health Care delivery in rural hospitals across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
A statement signed by Mr Muhammed Onogwu, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and made to newsmen, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Onogu said that procurement of the buses was part of the significant steps being taken by Governor Yahaya Bello to enhance healthcare delivery system across the state.
The ambulances, according to him, are Toyota Hiace high roof buses, come equipped with various features such as patient and driver cabin intercom, oxygen supply system, portable and rechargeable suction machines.
He said that the buses were also equipped with First Aid boxes with emergency drugs, fire extinguishers, and wash hand basins as well as electrical systems, vinyl flooring, wall-mounted sphygmomanometers and flexible examination lights.
The CPS said that Gov. Bello who inspected the Basic Life-Support Ambulances upon delivery urged citizens and residents of Kogi State to enroll in the “Bello Healthcare Plus initiative.”
He added that the programme was completely free of charge.
The governor, according to him, emphasized that his administration would continue to prioritize the well-being of the people as a healthy population is crucial for meaningful development.
Onogwu noted that the “Bello Healthcare Plus” package includes free distribution of delivery kits, postpartum hemorrhage packs, hypertensive packs and episiotomy packs.
The package also include free maternal/newborn healthcare services to pregnant women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
He stressed that part of the efforts of the governor in the Health Sector was the Reference Hospital at Okene which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in December, last year.
Onogwu said that experts consider the hospital to be among world-class healthcare facilities in the country.
He noted that Kogi State Government also commissioned several medical facilities in various regions of the state in furthering its efforts at enhancing healthcare accessibility.
“Furthermore, alongside the “Bello Healthcare Plus” programme, the State Government had introduced Kogi State Health Insurance scheme to provide free healthcare services to the people of the state.
The Chief Press Secretary hinted that Kogi Care intervention has been another significant achievement of the Governor Bello-led administration. (Ends)